Farewell Greeny – A Legend Departs

Craig Priest writes…

Even when I was writing my previous blog about the hope of Matt Green staying, I knew deep down that the next time I wrote his name, it would be in relation to his departure. I have to admit a sadness to his departure but also wish a true legend all the very best, never will I slate anyone for trying to better themselves.

I think Mansfield Town can immensely proud that there star man will be playing in the Championship next season, not many clubs can say that in two season’s they’ve transformed a wreck & shell of a player into a prolific goal scoring machine, which is exactly what Green is now.

Numerous ill-fated spells with Oxford may have left the front man questioning if he’ll ever make it back to the Championship again, especially after his first taste of it with Cardiff City in 2007 left a sour taste. However at Mansfield he found a regular place in the team, playing in position which suited his quality more – straight through the middle with every goal inviting him in!

It was inevitable that he’d move on one day and in truth, we’ve got what we wanted from him – a striker that would fire us back into the football league. Yes we’d have liked to have seen him continue to develop in the amber and blue in league two, but not one of us will have a bad word to say following what would have been a tough decision to move on, instead we’ll keep an eye out for him week in week out, as Green will always be a club legend.

Naturally Paul Cox will now search for a new player to take the number ten shirt and get Stags the goals, let’s leave that down to him and watch as another player gets transformed into a goal scoring machine.

People are bound to compare whoever comes in to Green, much the way they did when Greenacre and Barker moved on, which is why we’ve put together one last look at Green – enjoy and always remember the memories he gave us, but look back and don’t stare.

Both myself and the rest of the Mansfield Matters team would like to wish Matt all the very best for the future, farewell Greeny – a true club legend.

The views expressed in this blog are those of the writer and not those of Mansfield Matters or its related organisations – to submit a blog, email mtfcmatters@gmail.com